West Seattle restaurants: Jonny Bostons for sale, but staying open

Just one year after Jonny Bostons Sandwich Shop opened, owner Dan Atherton confirms a rumor that he will put the shop up for sale within the week. WSB contributor Keri DeTore, who reported our original stories about Jonny Bostons last year, talked with him today. She says that Dan’s message to his customers is: “We’re sorry to inform the community that Jonny Bostons is up for sale, due to circumstances beyond our control.” Dan told Keri that there are family issues demanding his attention, as well as the continuing work from his other business, Artistic Design. Dan assures WSB that his employees have been told about the change and that Jonny Bostons will stay open until it sells. He adds, “We’re trying to find a buyer that will keep the sandwich shop the way it is.” (In the meantime, Jonny Bostons, which is at 4151 California SW on the north side of The Junction, will be closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but open New Year’s Eve from 11:30 am-8 pm and New Year’s Day 11 am-8 pm.)

mightymo December 22, 2011 (6:14 am)

Maybe the new owner can add the apostrophe? That has bugged me since the name of the business was first announced.

monroe1200 December 22, 2011 (7:51 am)

Hope it sales and stays in business! But honestly, it needs to have better signage or something to stand out and let people know that they are there. I drive by that area every day and I still havn’t been able to locate it. I think I saw it the other day, but thats my point, it shouldnt be sooo hard to find, especially on California Ave.
I will for sure stop by now that I know that he does exist, I thought it was just a myth!

Scott December 22, 2011 (8:09 am)

Sorry to hear that you are closing, but i knew this would not last. I hope if someone else comes in that they would make it into a really East Coast sandwich shop. Think of a giant pile of Pastrami on Rye. Hot Pastrami and roast beef.

Good luck to you and your family.

WSB December 22, 2011 (8:20 am)

Scott, to reiterate what’s in the headline and the story, the shop is NOT closing, says the owner – he told our reporter that he would keep running it till it’s sold – TR

John December 22, 2011 (8:29 am)

I won’t eat there until they change the logo, and preferable the name.

gotb December 22, 2011 (9:13 am)

Some tips if they want this business to succeed:
– Don’t cover up the windows! That always kills a business (what were they thinking?).
– Add vegetarian options. The menu as it is gurantees a limited customer base.

denbol December 22, 2011 (9:42 am)

You won’t eat there because of it’s name? Really?

T-Rex December 22, 2011 (10:10 am)

Best Philly’s in town!

Alki Observer December 22, 2011 (10:11 am)

My family and I are from New England and love Jonny B’s. Though we don’t get there very often, I am still glad to hear they will remain open. They have some tasty steak sandwiches. Not to mention some nice people that own it and work there. Go Boston Bruins!

newnative December 22, 2011 (10:19 am)

I love the place and the cheesesteaks are amazing. The guys are great in there. I hope it stays open.

MP December 22, 2011 (10:24 am)

Wow, I can’t believe (wait or actually I can) how snarky you bloggers are. Why not wish them luck for a quick sale instead of telling them everything you perceive to be wrong with their business??? WTF???

Jammy G. December 22, 2011 (10:28 am)

T-Rex is right. They serve the best Philly’s in West Seattle.

Carrie Ann December 22, 2011 (11:16 am)

Their homemade potato chips are crave-worthy. Really nice guys, sorry to hear about family issues. Best of luck with selling the place, and hopefully finding new owners who keep things running smoothly.

WMF December 22, 2011 (11:42 am)

I hope if it does get sold, they get restaffed. On the two visits I’ve made there, the service was terrible, and they food wasn’t much better. Best in West Seattle? Maybe cause they’re the *only* cheesesteaks in West Seattle…

monroe1200 December 22, 2011 (12:40 pm)

MP – Because we want our local businesses to SUCCEED! That means giving constructive critiscm so that they know what people are thinking about their business.
P.S. – were not bloggers, were commenters, and potential customers.

Stephanie December 22, 2011 (2:35 pm)

Geez! Since when are people so snotty in West Seattle?! This place is AWESOME! Their sandwiches are amazing and everyone who works there, especially the owner and his son, are super nice, friendly, and great. If I could buy the place, I absolutely would.

William December 22, 2011 (2:35 pm)

Best Philly in town is at Hey Paison! in Burien since when is Boston famous for sandwiches? I thought it was chowdah!

David December 22, 2011 (2:36 pm)

The food is great, but a suggestion for whoever might take over: Open earlier! You can’t open a lunch place at 12. For every time I got a sandwich there, there were half a dozen times I drove past at 11:30 or 11:45 and cursed them for being closed. Seriously, create a bigger window, otherwise you are just giving away money.

Cheryl December 22, 2011 (2:41 pm)

Where is the apostrophe required? An ‘s after Bostons would make it mean Boston is. Just saying.
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As for their business being hard to find, REALLY? Are you blind? The building is teal blue. And it has a street number. Get a map, punch it into your GPS or smart phone, walk north from the Junction and explore, it’s really not that difficult to locate.
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I’m sorry to hear they have to sell, and hope they are able to find a buyer who will keep the spirit of what they tried to accomplish alive and well. I would never wish any business owner to fail, or good riddance, etc. unless they were the scum of the earth and beat the elderly or something. What the heck is wrong w/ you people?

joseph December 22, 2011 (3:05 pm)

What is a “Philly” I am from Philly and never called a cheese steak. Also Boston does not make Cheese Steaks there are a Philly sandwich.

questionable December 22, 2011 (3:19 pm)

Love it when someone nitpicks punctuation without knowing the rules themselves. Today, try to learn about the possesive case, and next time you might think first instead of “just saying”.

mightymo December 22, 2011 (4:32 pm)

Unless there’s a guy named “Jonny Bostons” or a town in New England called “Bostons” then there’s a missing apostrophe. Given that they use the font from the logo of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, I have always assumed they meant to call it “Jonny Boston’s.” If there are two guys named Jonny Boston, it should be “Jonny Bostons'”.
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I walk by this place almost every day and have never gone in, in part because the prices are really high for spiced meat on a bun and because my wife is vegetarian and all she could have off the menu is potato chips. And as an editor and English language user, the name grates on me.

WSB December 22, 2011 (4:38 pm)

While the language sideline is amusing in a way, it is somewhat offtopic and seems more like a Forum thread. I am one of the most serious language purists (with the occasional quirky exception) you will find, but I am sad to tell you, omitting the apostrophe in official names is rampant. Albertsons and Walgreens, for example. And department stores designating the “womens” and “mens” apparel sections. When Keri was working on the initial stories about this very pleasant entrepreneur’s enterprise, I asked her to please make sure he really intended to be apostropheless … and yes, that was his intention. Jonny, as noted in one of our stories, is in honor of his son. Meantime, though AP has moved to “email” instead of “e-mail,” I’m not giving up that hyphen. – TR

mightymo December 22, 2011 (5:23 pm)

I think CMoS now prefers “US” over “U.S.” Keep fighting the good fight! And thanks for the info. It’s intentionally incorrect but it’s more endearing knowing it’s a conscious choice.
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I hope there’s a new owner who makes some menu changes because I do want to support a local (takeout) sandwich shop. We’ve got plenty of options but it’s handier than walking further to Husky Deli and the other Junction businesses.

NotMe December 22, 2011 (9:41 pm)

If the name and/or punctuation bugs you that much, then yes – please continue to stay away. That way, I can get to the front of the line sooner. Besides, you don’t really matter since you don’t spend any money in there. Move on. Oh, you want vegetarian? Then continue to go to the veggie places! See? That was easy. No need to act like the lack of YOUR dollars is the reason the owners have decided to sell.
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I love this place. The guys are always friendly, talkative, and they make a mean Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. I also love the house mayo to dip those chips! Best of luck and I hope things go smooth for you!

Thd December 22, 2011 (9:42 pm)

Thought it was gross. Service was terrible. Could not get rid of onion taste or smell. I vote for bahn mi instead in that space.

lohoho December 22, 2011 (9:43 pm)

Totally off topic, but Zippy’s is serving a philly-like sandwich as the Burger of the Month special. It is called da’Willy and it is crazy, CRAZY good. Have not tried Jonny B’s, but will soon.

Sorry, comment time is over.